Lower School Academics

Fourth Grade

Going Beyond and Reaching Out

Children are challenged to succeed at accelerated levels in all areas of language arts and mathematics in fourth grade. Additionally, students participate in a public speaking program designed to teach them how to communicate more comfortably and confidently in front of an audience, educating them in proper public speaking techniques, and strengthening their listening, attention-holding, and articulation skills.

Many of the field trips and activities complement the year’s study of California history. In the fall, students visit a mission. Upon their return, they write mission reports and plan, design, and build mission models in cooperative groups. In the spring, students and parent chaperones travel north to relive the exciting events of the California Gold Rush and tour the state capitol in Sacramento or visit San Francisco.

In December, each student chooses a state, researches it in the computer lab and library, and writes a comprehensive report for the big State Fair held each May, presenting information unique to their state to other WWS students, their friends, and parents upon completion. Science topics include rock formations and the systems of the human body. Teachers ensure that hands-on experiences reinforce the complex subject matter.

Simultaneously with all of this, students attend PE & Spanish class daily, as well as art, music, drama, library and technology on a weekly basis. The following information provides a “snapshot” in to the Fourth Grade course overview during the second quarter: